Drive Time
7h 4m
Distance
379.6 mi
611 km
Drive Score
8/10
Great drive
Same Day?
Yes, doable
Fuel Cost
$58
one way
Photo: Paolo Sanchez
The drive from Des Plaines, IL to Metropolis, IL covers 379.6 miles and takes about 7h 4m behind the wheel. This route is realistic as a one-day drive if you keep your stops efficient.
The route leans on South Des Plaines River Road, I 294 South, Tri-State Tollway for much of the mileage, and the overall profile is turn-heavy local drive. At current regular gas prices, budget about $57.66 one way before food or hotel costs.
Trip Pace
Same-day drive is realistic
A same-day return is possible, but it will make for a full day on the road.
Break Rhythm
2 planned breaks
Plan on a short reset every 3 to 4 hours to stay fresh behind the wheel.
Midpoint
189.8 miles from Des Plaines, IL
A natural place for your longest stop of the day , about 3h 32m into the drive .
Expect a 7h 4m drive with frequent turns across 379.6 miles of local and secondary roads.
Expect a hands-on drive with frequent turns and local roads rather than long highway stretches. There are only a few real navigation decisions along the way.
Easy - simple navigation with a manageable amount of wheel time
The route itself is not hard, but at 7h 4m, endurance matters. Plan breaks every 2-3 hours. The 0 decision points are all manageable with basic attention.
Where does it get tricky?
This route does not have any notably tricky sections. Most of the drive from Des Plaines, IL to Metropolis, IL is straightforward, with well-signed roads and simple exits.
| Road | Distance | Duration |
|---|---|---|
| South Des Plaines River Road | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 294 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Tri-State Tollway | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Mile-Long Bridge | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| IL 50 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| Cicero Avenue | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| 167th Street | Unavailable | Refreshing |
| I 57 South | Unavailable | Refreshing |
Per-road distance and duration are being refreshed from OSRM for this route.
Step-by-step road directions between Des Plaines, IL and Metropolis, IL.
Start on Henry Avenue
Turn right onto South Des Plaines River Road
Take the ramp slight right toward I 294 South: Indiana
Merge slight left onto Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight left to continue on Tri-State Tollway
Keep slight right to continue on Tri-State Tollway
Continue on Mile-Long Bridge
Continue on Tri-State Tollway
Take the exit slight right toward IL 50 South, IL 83: Cicero Avenue, 127th Street
Keep slight left to continue on IL 50 South: Cicero Avenue
Turn straight onto Cicero Avenue
Turn left onto 167th Street
Take the ramp slight right toward I 57 South: Kankakee, I-80
Merge slight left
Keep slight left to continue on I 57 South: Memphis
Keep slight right to continue on Ken Gray Expressway
Take the exit slight right toward I 24 East: Nashville
Continue straight
Take the exit slight right toward US 45: Metropolis, Brookport, Rest Area, Welcome Center
Turn right onto United States Route 45
Turn right onto East 12th Street
Turn left onto Ferry Street
Turn right onto West 5th Street
Arrive at your destination
Morning Departure
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
Evening Departure
This is a long drive — plan for a morning departure or consider splitting it into two days.
This is a comfortable same-day trip.
Departure
Before you leave
Start with fuel, water, and navigation already sorted so the first hour feels easy.
First stop
Around 84 miles or 1h 33m in
Use this first pause for coffee, a restroom break, and a quick traffic check ahead.
Halfway reset
Around 189.8 miles or 3h 32m in
This is the best place for your longest stop, a real meal, and a full fuel check.
Final approach
Final hour starts around 5h 57m
Traffic, exits, and arrival timing usually matter more near Metropolis, IL than in the middle of the route.
Open the route before leaving Des Plaines, IL so your first major turns are already loaded.
Leave with enough water and a charging cable within reach, not packed away.
Check your fuel range against the first long segment, especially if you are starting outside city service areas.
Pick one backup stop option before the midpoint in case traffic changes your pacing.
Day 1
Settle into the route from Des Plaines, IL
This is one driving day of about 379.6 miles and 7h 4m.
Rest stops, refuel points, and overnight suggestions along this route.
Halfway Point
Midpoint
About 189.8 mi from Des Plaines, IL · 3h 32m into the drive
Mid-route town
Meal stop
190 mi into the route
Best for: Lunch, fuel, and a longer reset
This sits close to the middle of the route, so it works well for the longest stop of the day.
A short stop after about 84 miles helps settle the day before fatigue starts building.
The midpoint is around 189.8 miles from Des Plaines, IL, which is a good place for a longer meal and fuel stop.
The final approach into Metropolis, IL usually feels slower than the middle of the drive, so avoid planning your tightest schedule at the very end.
Try to arrive with enough fuel left to skip an immediate station stop unless you already know the area around Metropolis, IL.
These stop ideas are pacing suggestions — the exact town or exit can change with traffic, hotel plans, and fuel range.
Regular Gas
$57.66 one way
$115.31 round trip
| Fuel Type | $/gal | One Way | Round Trip |
|---|---|---|---|
| midgrade | $4.25 | $63.56 | $127.12 |
| premium | $4.80 | $71.66 | $143.32 |
| diesel | $5.64 | $84.33 | $168.67 |
No toll roads detected on this route.
Estimated Trip Cost (one way, 1 person)
Fuel
$58
Meals
$25–$50
Total
$83–$108
Rough estimate based on US averages. Hotel $80–$140/night, meals $25–$50/day.
Estimated CO2 emission: 132.8 kg one way. Prices: EIA weekly data, 2026-04-06.
Driving Electric?
About $40 in charging · 1 stop · 67% less CO2
| Vehicle Type | kWh | Stops | DC Fast | Home Charge |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Average EV | 113.9 | 1 | $39.86 | $18.22 |
| Efficient EV | 94.9 | 1 | $33.22 | $15.18 |
| EV Truck/SUV | 151.8 | 1 | $53.14 | $24.29 |
Gas CO2
133 kg
EV CO2
44 kg (67% less)
Plan for 1 charging stop. A 30-minute DC fast charge mid-route should be enough to complete the trip comfortably.
DC fast charging avg $0.35/kWh. Home charging avg $0.16/kWh. US grid CO2: 0.39 kg/kWh.
Travel Intel
Current conditions at both ends of the drive. If you're planning ahead, check the forecast closer to your travel date.
Origin
Afternoon in Des Plaines on Saturday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
46°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Destination
Afternoon in Metropolis on Saturday
Local time
4:23 PM
CDT
Current temp
80°F
Forecast unavailable right now
Along the Route
54°F
Champaign, IL
190 mi in
Seasonal Notes
Summer travel usually means heavier construction, hotter rest stops, and busier weekend traffic around major cities.
Winter travel shortens daylight, so a route that looks manageable on paper can feel much longer after dark.
Holiday weekends tend to make both departure and arrival windows slower than the raw route time suggests.
Time zone
Origin and destination are on the same clock, so arrival timing is easier to judge at a glance.
Temperature spread
A meaningful temperature swing is a good cue to rethink layers, water, and how soon you want to arrive.
Road read
Start early — leave by 6-7 AM to arrive at a reasonable hour.
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